BALKAN ROUTE: EU-Western Balkan Summit held in Brussels ― UK invests £10m to fight people smuggling in Western Balkans ― State authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina preparing to take over management of migration reception centres from IOM ― Frontex report blames Bulgarian authorities for minors’ deaths in 2024 ― Three dead after tragedy on Croatia-BiH river border ― New analysis predicts implications of EU Pact on Migration and Asylum for Serbia

BALKAN ROUTE: EU-Western Balkan Summit held in Brussels ― UK invests £10m to fight people smuggling in Western Balkans ― State authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina preparing to take over management of migration reception centres from IOM ― Frontex report blames Bulgarian authorities for minors’ deaths in 2024 ― Three dead after tragedy on Croatia-BiH river border ― New analysis predicts implications of EU Pact on Migration and Asylum for Serbia

EU and Western Balkan leaders held a high-level summit on 17 December in Brussels. The UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has hosted a meeting with her counterparts from the Western Balkans. State authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are preparing to take over...
IRELAND: Asylum applicants targeted in violent incidents ― Politicians accused of ‘escalating tensions’ ― Government plans to charge asylum applicants for accommodation and limit provision for Ukrainians ― NGO report raises concerns about care of unaccompanied children

IRELAND: Asylum applicants targeted in violent incidents ― Politicians accused of ‘escalating tensions’ ― Government plans to charge asylum applicants for accommodation and limit provision for Ukrainians ― NGO report raises concerns about care of unaccompanied children

Several violent incidents in which people seeking asylum have been targeted have taken place in recent weeks. Politicians have been accused of exacerbating anti-migration sentiments through their use of language. A government committee has approved plans that would...
CENTRAL EUROPE: Austria to close last remaining arrival centre for Ukrainians ― Protests against German chancellor’s migration comments ― Polish PM criticised for comments about future of ECHR ― Polish court rejects complaint from pushback victim ― Switzerland announces draconian travel ban for people in asylum system and tightens temporary protection regime

CENTRAL EUROPE: Austria to close last remaining arrival centre for Ukrainians ― Protests against German chancellor’s migration comments ― Polish PM criticised for comments about future of ECHR ― Polish court rejects complaint from pushback victim ― Switzerland announces draconian travel ban for people in asylum system and tightens temporary protection regime

The last remaining arrival centre for displaced Ukrainians in Austria is due to close at the end of 2025. Demonstrations have taken place in several German cities in response to Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s comments on migration. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has...
UK: Government announces major changes to asylum policy ― Another damning assessment of Brook House detention centre ― New report makes economic case for ‘fair and humane’ asylum system

UK: Launch of ‘One in, one out’ people transfer scheme ― More crossings and deaths in the Channel ― Lawyers and NGOs call out threats from far-right ― NGOs urge government to stop scapegoating people on the move ― Government makes several migration and asylum-related policy announcements

The first transfers of people under the recent UK-France migration agreement have taken place. There have been a significant number of small boat crossings of the Channel in recent weeks as well as several deaths. A large group of lawyers and NGOs have said that they...